New Drugs Tomorrow

My treatment tomorrow means that I will be receiving Adriamycin and Cytoxan. Both of these drugs have been used for breast cancer for many years and other cancers too. One of the most common side effect of these drugs is hair loss. Been there, done that. I guess that I won't be expecting my hair to grow back any time soon. The other common side effect is nausea. I hope the drugs they give me to counteract the nausea will work. I am awaiting the arrival of several pounds of ginger candy that seems to help ease the queasiness for me. World Market use to carry the candy, but they didn't have it during my last few visits there. I went there just to buy that candy and went home disappointed each time. That is why I love the Internet. I found the company that makes Gin Gins, and several bags are on the Fed Ex truck somewhere between California and my house right now.

Today I left school feeling good. I hate the thought that I will be sick again. It is hard to walk into the chemo room knowing that poison is going to be put into my body. As Steve keeps reminding me, we have to kill the C. That is my job right now. With the help of my Ochsner team, we are doing a pretty good job on the battlefield.

I AM A C . . .

I am over the Xeloda!

Here is the last one of the dreaded pills that I hate. I never have to take these again. I didn't think that I would ever reach this point in my treatment.

I had to take these pills for two weeks after the first four of my chemo treatments. Ugh! These pills were part of the clinical trial. They have been used effectively for later stage cancers, but they wanted to see the effectiveness with an early stage like mine. I dreaded each and every pill that I had to put in my mouth. The first two cycles I had to take 1650 mg--which meant four different pills after breakfast and dinner each day for two weeks. They tasted nasty, or maybe it was just the water that tasted nasty. They decreased my dose to 1300 mg for the last two cycles because I was having such awful side effects. That was when it hurt to walk or touch anything. I still had to take 4 pills to get the right dose just smaller tablets.

No more Xeloda for me, as they are not part of my chemical cocktail for the last four cylces of chemotherapy. I am half way through and still kicking.

Treatment number 5 is on Thursday.

Tumor is Changing

I wanted to let you know that we got a glowing report from Dr.Larned, my oncologist, during my visit on the 31st of July. I told her that I can feel the tumor is changing. Yes, to me it seems smaller! She agrees that it is changing. She said that is great news that the tumor is responding to the chemo. She keeps telling us how good it is to go through chemotherapy before surgery. She is very positive that I will get the results I want and be able to have a lumpectomy when it is time for surgery. So far, so good.

I made it through three days of work last week. I think that I over extended myself, as I cannot move off of the sofa today. Sunday is a day of rest for me. I will plan to leave when the bell rings each day after school, so I can nap or rest every afternoon as needed. Steve is encouraging me to do this, and I think that he is right.

Back to Work

I made it through my first day of school for the new year. Hurray!

The first thing that I did this morning was set up my refrigerator in the library so I could have cold drinks in the heat. The rest of the day I sat in meetings, so I sat and listened and worked on my laptop. This didn't call for too much energy. I left school at 2:40PM even though I could have stayed later to work in the library. Reading and a nap were on the afternoon agenda.

I did have some stomach issues today. This could have been nerves because of the start of school or the chemo. Either way I am happy that Immodium solves the stomach issues.

Last year at this time I set up a profile on Librarything.com to catalog all the books that I have read. From August 2007-August 2008 I have read 68 books. I don't know if this is more or less than I usually read. Anyway, if you are interested in seeing what I read this year check out this link.

4th Chemo Treatment -- 4 More to Go!

Before each treatment I have to see the doctor, and before I see the doctor I have to give Miss Cynthia some blood.

Here are the tools of her trade-->

Miss Cynthia is great. You put your arm out, turn your head, and before you know it she has filled the vials with blood for testing. She is amazing. She always has a smile on her face, and I don't mind that she is the first person that I see when I arrive for treatment.

This is Miss Cynthia-->

When I arrive in the chemo room, I have to pick a chair. I like to find one along the wall with windows. Here is a picture of the chair that I have used 3 times. You can see that it is a recliner. They want you to be comfortable.

Mary North, who teaches with me at Pat Taylor, came with me to this treatment.

I feel great! Too bad I have a treatment tomorrow.

I have not been writing so much lately. I tried to use this time when I feel good (better than I have felt all summer actually) to get chores done and run necessary errands. I even went into school today to make sure I will be ready for work next week. By the time I am finished in the afternoons, I am spent and not interested in writing. Steve said that I am like my old self. I feel like my old self. That will all change tomorrow.

Mary North, who teaches with me at Patrick Taylor, will sit with me in the chemo room tomorrow. The treatment should last about 2 and a half hours. I told her to bring her laptop so that she can get some work done (free wi-fi at Ochsner), but we will probably spend most of our time trying to solve the world's problems. Unless I get too tired. They start my drip with benadryl. I get a little loopy at the beginning of the treatment. It is not too bad by the time I leave, though I wouldn't want to drive myself home.

I have only one 14 day course of the dreaded Xeloda pills left to take. That starts tomorrow. Then on August 12th that will be it for me. Thank goodness; I really hate the hand and foot troubles that I have had with that drug. Then I get to find out how my body responds to a whole new set of medicine.